The web over the weekend was all a-flutter over what the big announcement would be from Facebook. Yesterday, Facebook put anyone who cared out of their misery by announcing Graph Search.
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What is Facebook Graph Search?
Anything Facebook does when it comes to search is a massive improvement. Graph Search is social search. It allows you to find and connect with people with similar interests. It also allows you to discover what your friends like and where they have been.
The Facebook Newsroom Announcement states:
The first version of Graph Search focuses on four main areas — people, photos, places, and interests.
People: “friends who live in my city,” “people from my hometown who like hiking,” “friends of friends who have been to Yosemite National Park,” “software engineers who live in San Francisco and like skiing,” “people who like things I like,” “people who like tennis and live nearby”
Photos: “photos I like,” “photos of my family,” “photos of my friends before 1999,” “photos of my friends taken in New York,” “photos of the Eiffel Tower”
Places: “restaurants in San Francisco,” “cities visited by my family,” “Indian restaurants liked by my friends from India,” “tourist attractions in Italy visited by my friends,” “restaurants in New York liked by chefs,” “countries my friends have visited”
Interests: “music my friends like,” “movies liked by people who like movies I like,” “languages my friends speak,” “strategy games played by friends of my friends,” “movies liked by people who are film directors,” “books read by CEOs”
How Can You Optimise Your Facebook Business Page For Graph Search?
As Facebook Graph Search rolls out, it will become even more important to complete your Page information fully.
Places search is happening in the first phase so now is the time to check that your address is correct and the town/city you serve is clearly identified. Also, complete the category section. You can have up to 3 place sub categories.
Both of these are found in the basic information for your Page. Click on Edit, then update info. It goes to the basic information section and update as needed.
Take another look at your about section. Are you using words and phrases to describe your Page that your customers actually use? Like other search online, it’s wise to use language your target market use. There’s little point in describing yourself as a sanitation engineer when people are looking for you as a plumber!
Let’s not forget your fans!
I know it’s nice to have 100’s if not 1000’s of fans. But, fans are pointless if they don’t do anything. Without going into the joys of Edgerank, engagement and Facebook visibility, as a local business, your aim is to get local fans.
With the recent update to the “nearby” feature and Graph Search on its way, that time you spend on like ladders, marches and the rest would be far better spent encouraging local likers.
When is Facebook Graph Search Coming To You?
Graph Search is currently in beta and rolling out to English (US) users only for now. You can request notification when you can start using Graph Search here.
Over to you…
Are you excited about Facebook Graph Search? Do you think it will help local business pages? I’d love to hear from you in the comments!
Facebook Graph Search Announced – Is Your Local Business Facebook Page Ready? by Jan Kearney
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- The types of updates you should be posting
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Hi Jan,
very swift tips, and helpful too.
By the way, when it comes to calls to action, yours are nice and clear, you have all of them that were on my list!
Cheers,
Gordon
You’re on the ball, Gordon – that was quick! Thanks for popping in and commenting 🙂 I think my calls to action need toughening up a bit!
This is excelent information, thanks so much for this post.
I will definitely be checking your blog often. I actually found you through the UBC.
Thanks – Rebeca
Hi Rebecca, thank you for calling in and your comment. I’m pleased you found the post useful. Good luck with the challenge!
Which pages does this apply to? The Author pages or the Website/Blog pages?
I can’t seem to find these settings on my page.
Hi Bonnie, it applies to your Facebook page. Depending on how you set up, you may see slightly different info. I just edited the post a little – hopefully making it a bit clearer. At the top of your Facebook page, click edit page, then update info – you’ll see a page similar to the screenshot
Hi Jan,
The changes haven’t reached my Facebook page yet, but I’ll check soon to see when they turn up and I’ll make sure my information is up to date. Your guide will come in handy so thanks for this post.
They’re rolling this out slowly, Tracey – Click the lik at the end to go on the waiting list to be informed when Graph Search is available to you. Thanks for popping in and your comment 🙂
Hi Jan
Another Facebook change, it can be hard to keep up at times!
I will be reading through again to learn more.
Have a great weekend
Pauline
Yes yet another change – thanks for this Jan and for saving me from having to think too deeply about it – I’ll just follow your advice!
Sue
Hi Jan,
A number of businesses in my area have also not got their vanity URL yet either. It’s a good 1st point of contact.
You’re right, Andy – t is a great place to start! Thanks for popping in 🙂